How do pipe xylophones work

Make certain they protrude an equal distance at each end; this will assure that it rings with the clearest possible sound when it's struck. Now, all you need is a pair of mallets to make your xylophone sing!

The possibilities here are virtually unlimited, and each kind of striker will give the instrument a slightly different tone. To achieve a sweet muted sound, simply use rubber vibraphone mallets purchased from a music store. The idea is to unleash your imagination, and experiment with whatever happens to be readily available.

I used chopsticks, inserted—and glued—into large wooden macrame beads! Once you and your young ones give it a try, I'm sure you'll find that playing the pipe xylophone is easy and enjoyable. Thanks to its simplicity, this homegrown instrument is perfect for improvisation and creative harmonizing. You don't need an instruction book or a teacher, either. Just pick up the mallets—or hand them to an eager young tunesmith—and sound out some ear-pleasing melodies!

Use this chart as a guide when cutting the pipes for you xylophone. The portion in bold is the basic octave, G major scale. Please, I'd love to make my son a Xylophone - is there a way to get the measurement chart? Thanks so much! How did you determine the lengths for each note? Like was there an equation that you used? I'm doing a project for school where I have to make a musical instrument. I chose to make a xylophone, and this page was very helpful.

I'd also like the chart please. I'm building an instrument for a competition where I have to play the chosen instrument, so it would really help! Thanks, October. I'd love to make my daughter a kit for Christmas - is there a way to get the measurement chart? Join us for a much anticipated return to the Lone Star State! Earlybird ticket discounts are now available online.

You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. The bars are tuned to the standard note chromatic scale, and are arranged on the frame of the instrument like a piano keyboard, with the "black keys" raised above and overlapping the "naturals.

The bars of the xylophone are tuned not only by their length, but by cutouts on the underside of each bar. This allows precise tuning, and the hollow area under the center of the bar is more resonant than a solid slab of wood would be.

In addition, resonator tubes are often suspended beneath each bar, tuned to the frequency of the bar. This reinforces the sound of the note when it is struck.

Measure and cut the sides for your xylophone box. Cut the box wood into 5 pieces using a table saw or another power tool, using all necessary safety precautions. Measure the side pieces beforehand to make sure they meet the following sizes: [8] X Research source 4. Glue the box together with wood glue. Before you glue your box, clamp the 4 top sides together and slide the bottom side beneath it.

Make sure all 5 pieces fit together before gluing them. If they don't, make adjustments with your table saw or power tool until they fit neatly. Mark spots for nails along the top of the box. Make the places for your nails at 1. On one side, start positioning the nails at 1. On the other side, start positioning them at 2. These will be where you place your xylophone keys.

Drive the nails into the wood. Using a hammer, drive the nails into the wood until they each stick out about 1 in 2. Hitch rubber bands over the nails. Loop a rubber band over the first nail, twist it around the second, and then hook it in place on the third. Repeat this process on all of the xylophone nails until you have hooked and looped rubber bands along all of them. Drill a hole into each xylophone key. Use the chalk marking you made earlier as a guide for where to drill the hole.

Make the hole about the same diameter as the top of the nail so the xylophone key can slide into place. Secure the xylophone keys into the box. The undrilled end should rest between 2 nails on one side, and the drilled end should rest over a nail on the opposite side. Test the xylophone's sound with a pair of mallets. If they give a clear, resonating sound, your xylophone is finished.

Method 2. Purchase electrical metal tubing and a shelf board from a hardware store. Make sure the electrical metal tubing you buy is the standard 10 ft 3. This should make a xylophone of 13 pipes. Cut the pipes to precise measurements.

The length of each pipe determines what sound it makes. Longer pipes make lower pitches, and shorter pipes make higher pitches. Use a hacksaw or a pipe cutter to divide the pipes into the following measurements, using all necessary safety precautions while handling the power tool: [15] X Research source Pipe 1: Use a metal file to grind the ends smooth. Pipe cutters or hacksaws can make the edges rough and dangerous to handle. File the edges of each pipe until they are flat. Check the edges with your finger when you're done filing to make sure they're no longer sharp.

Cut strips of polyurethane foam into 28 blocks. Measure your strips with a ruler and mark their approximate lengths on the foam before cutting them to make them precise. You can purchase polyurethane foam from most hardware or home improvement stores. Arrange the blocks on opposite ends the shelf board. The length should match the size of a corresponding tube in descending order.

Space the blocks about 1 in 2. Let the wood glue dry before continuing to build your xylophone. On average wood glue takes about hours to dry, but check its packaging for specific details. Place the tubes on top of each foam block. Use craft glue to secure the tubes in place. Wait for the glue to dry, which should take anywhere from hours depending on the glue's instructions. Do not touch the tubes until the glue dries.

If the tubes shift out of place, their sound may become muffled. Test your xylophone with a mallet. You should be able to play a variety of melodies using the 13 pipes on your xylophone. If your xylophone's sound seems dull or muted, you may need to adjust the pipe's lengths. If you want to precisely measure your xylophone's sound, use an instrument tuner. Method 3. Purchase 2 2 in 5. These will form the mallet for your xylophone. You can purchase these materials online or from a hardware or craft store.

Drill a hole into one end of the wooden balls. The hole you drill should match the diameter of your wooden dowel. If your wooden dowel is too wide to comfortably fit into the hole after you've drilled it, pare its sides down with a sharp knife and sand the ends. Glue the dowels into the wooden balls.